419 scam: "Mrs. Vivian Douglas" <mus_tstart2014@outlook.com> WHY DO YOU CHOOSE TO LOSE YOUR FUND $1.5MILLION

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "western union" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "money gram" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "mtcn" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "processing fee" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "million united state dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +22968036633 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Vivian Douglas" <mus_tstart2014@outlook.com>
Reply-To: "Mrs. Vivian Douglas" <officefile.file2015@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 9 Feb 2015 14:32:18 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: WHY DO YOU CHOOSE TO LOSE YOUR FUND $1.5MILLION

Â FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCENATIONAL HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY COMPLEXSENATE HOUSE - UPPER CHAMBERS WUSEDISTRICT, COTONOU BENIN
Our Ref: FGN /SNT/STBDate:February /9 /2015Dear Customer,
I have to inform you again, that we are not playing over this, I know my reason for the continuous sending of this notification to you, the fact is that you can't seem to trust any one again over this payment for what you have been in cantered in many months ago, but I want you to trust me, I cannot scam you for $39 it is for bank processing of your payment,
Note, the fees of $39 is clearly written to you before, I did not invent the bill to defraud you of $39 it is an official bank payment processing fee, and the good part of this, is that you will never, ever be disturbed again over any kind of payment, this is final, and the forms from there becomes effective once we submit your payment application processing fee and pay the form fee of $39 I don't want you to loose this fund this time, because you may never get another such good opportunity, the federal government is keen and very determined to pay your overdue debts, this is not a fluke, I would not want you to loose this fund out of Â ignorance, Â I will send you all the documents as soon as bank payment processing fee is paid, you have to trust me, you will get your fund, find a way to get $39 you will not loose it, instead it will bring your financial breakthrough,
The processing charges which was initially on the high price has been cut down by the payout bank considering the poor economic situations that make it difficult for the middle class citizens to meet up with the processing charges of their entitlement. Upon the confirmation of your processing charges you will get your $1.500, 000.00 into your account within 15hrs.
Here is the information to send the Fee through western union money transfer, or Money Gram finally my advice to you is not to abandon this transaction because of the requirement of ($39)
Receiver's name:ARINZE ABHACountry::Benin Republic.City:::.Cotonou,Text Question: WhenAnswer: Â Â Â TodayAmount ::required:$39Sender's Name:MTCN Number#:Senderâ€™s address:
Yourâ€™s Full Banking Details to avoid wrong Transfer:
As soon as the payment is received today, you will receive your $1.5Million United State Dollars the same today without any delay.
Best RegardsMrs. Vivian DouglasCall Mr Frank For MoreDetails +229-680-366-33

Anti-fraud resources:

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